Employers were today urged to tackle the causes of "work rage", such as by offering counselling to stressed out staff.

Commercial law firm Beachcroft Wansbroughs said anger and frustration were an increasing aspect of life in many offices and factories, mirroring surveys indicating an increase in the problem.

Violence in the workplace was often an expression of stress and employers should tackle the causes to prevent incidents happening.

Elizabeth Adams, head of the firm's national employment practice said:

"There is no doubt that work rage is increasing and employers must make sure they have the systems in place to identify issues."

Incidents of work rage were the tip of a growing iceberg, said the firm. Productivity would suffer if stress levels were not reduced.

Millions of working days are lost each year due to workplace violence and a recent survey revealed that half of office workers had almost punched a colleague.